Satellite Command & Control Systems Engineer

KBR • El Segundo, CA

27d • $157,000 - $196,200 • Onsite

About The Position

KBR is seeking a Systems Engineer – Command & Control (C2) Satellite Systems MILSATCOM to work onsite in El Segundo, California, supporting Space Systems Command as a subcontractor. The role is part of the MILSATCOM systems engineering and integration effort, supporting the Space Force’s acquisition of satellite communications systems that provide secure, survivable, and protected communications. The engineer will lead the architecture, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical satellite mission planning systems, provide technical direction, mentor engineers, and serve as a key interface with government and industry partners.

The position focuses on the engineering of ESS Command & Control systems and their interfaces across spacecraft, ground, terminal, cryptographic, and external mission partner systems. Work includes requirements and architecture development, command and telemetry processes, verification, integration and test, technical assessments, cybersecurity support, system reviews, anomaly resolution, and technical baseline management. The work is performed in a collaborative small-team environment using modern tools and methodologies. The role requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance. Standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with moderate travel for technical reviews, customer meetings, and site visits.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 10 or more years of systems engineering experience, with demonstrated technical leadership.
• 5 or more years of systems engineering experience supporting satellite command and control, TT&C, or ground segment systems.
• Demonstrated experience owning requirements baselines, ICDs, and technical review artifacts for complex systems.
• Strong working knowledge of CCSDS standards and TT&C system architecture.
• Demonstrated experience leading trade studies, risk management, and technical decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interface with senior government and customer stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting at formal technical reviews.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

Nice To Haves

• Active Secret clearance or higher.
• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) or Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) certification.
• Experience with MBSE tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, Rhapsody, or MagicDraw, and requirements management tools such as DOORS or Jama.
• Deep familiarity with C2 software platforms such as Kratos, OpenC3, Yamcs, AWS Ground Station, FreeFlyer, or STK.
• Experience with Jira and Confluence in a program management or technical leadership capacity.
• Significant experience with MILSATCOM or major commercial satellite programs such as AEHF, WGS, MUOS, PTES, or FAB-T.
• Strong familiarity with space systems cybersecurity requirements, including NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and RMF, and prior RMF/ATO leadership experience.
• Experience with system safety practices and standards such as MIL-STD-882 at a program leadership level.
• Extensive experience working with military and DoD civilian clients on government space systems programs.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior engineering staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain ESS C2 system requirements, operational concepts, and interface definitions for spacecraft command, telemetry, mission planning, and network operations.
• Define and manage C2 interfaces among ESS space, ground, terminal, cryptographic, and external mission partner systems.
• Support development and integration of C2 architectures, including command generation and authentication, telemetry processing, mission management, and operator workflows.
• Analyze requirements and develop verification methods for C2 functions, including command execution, telemetry reporting, fault management, and spacecraft control operations.
• Support development and maintenance of C2 Interface Control Documents, command and telemetry databases, operator procedures, and mission thread products.
• Evaluate end-to-end command and telemetry data flows for operational performance, resiliency, cybersecurity, and interoperability.
• Support integration and test activities involving C2 systems, mission operations systems, spacecraft interfaces, and associated ground infrastructure.
• Conduct technical assessments and trade studies related to C2 architecture, automation, mission planning, command authorization, and operational concepts.
• Collaborate with mission operations, cybersecurity, ground systems, flight software, and spacecraft engineering teams to resolve C2 design and integration issues.
• Support systems security engineering for secure command and control, command authentication, access control, and RMF compliance.
• Participate in system engineering reviews, operational readiness activities, and anomaly resolution for ESS C2 capabilities.
• Support configuration management and technical baseline control for C2 requirements, interfaces, mission data products, and operational documentation.
• Provide technical direction and mentor engineering staff.

Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• AD&D
• Flexible spending account
• Disability benefits
• Paid time off
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional training and development
• Potential additional compensation, including sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary performance payments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior